Stay Report: Ibis Styles Tbilisi Center (Tbilisi, Georgia - May 2024)

 Stay Report: ibis Styles Tbilisi Center
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I was traveling to Tbilisi and was looking for a central place to stay.  While looking online, I noticed the ibis Styles Tbilisi Center centrally located and within walking distance to many sights and attractions.  I have stayed at many Accor properties including ibis Styles before (see review here) and so was familiar with their products and knew what to expect.

Accor, and especially the ibis brand of properties, provide clean, decent accommodation at a low price and generally do not offer any frills; or if they are offered, they are priced a la carte.  Generally there is no concierge and breakfast is available for a cost; what they do offer is a clean room with complimentary wifi.  I was able to book and manage my reservation online and through the app, where sometimes lower fares can be found versus the online/website.  

The ibis Styles brand is a bit more upscale versus regular ibis so they have more options for the traveler to choose from; the hotel could offer airport pick-up and drop-off for an extra charge and I used this service for the drop-off to the airport.  The hotel is located on walkway behind the main Independence Square; the walkway is pedestrian only during the day but cars can come early or late in the evening.  Being centrally located and within walking distance to the main square is a great plus point for the hotel; also within walking distance there are a number of restaurants, ATM/banks, shops, and other services all centrally located.  

The hotel is comprised of 7 floors with the check-in desk and main entrance on the ground floor.  Also on the ground floor is a coffee/tea/water station which is complimentary, the restaurant where breakfast is available for purchase (if you did not include it in your rate) and plenty of seating.  As per European standards, the hotel is somewhat narrow and tall but does not feel cramped.  After checking in, I took the key card to take the elevator up to the 4th floor for my room.

ibis Styles main difference between them and other ibis is that they like to incorporate more local and unique designs to their rooms.  When I entered the room, it did have more unique design aspects to them which made the basic room look more interesting.  You entered the room into a tiled hallway which had a open closet on the left with a luggage rack down below and shelves up above.  Continuing on the left was a doorway which led to the toilet and next to that was another doorway which led to the shower.  The sink was outside in the tiled hallway facing the bedroom.  The shower had refillable shower products including body/hair wash and conditioner; the sink had a refillable hand wash next to it and there were plenty of towels.  The tiled hallway led into a carpeted bedroom which contained a desk connected to some shelves along the barrier (the same barrier that had the sink on the other side) as well as a bed with two nightstands on either side.  Mounted on the wall in front of the bed was a TV and on the wall in the tiled hallway were coat hooks.  The bed was comfy and a decent size so provided a good nights sleep; there were also power outlets next to the bed and that was important.  There was a window alongside the other wall and there were nice blackout curtains which were very helpful to get a good nights rest; there was also a decent amount of space between the bed and the window so it did not feel too cramped.  Other amenities in the room included glasses for water, a coffee/tea maker set on the desk, a fridge with complimentary water bottles, as well as a safe.

While the hotel is not full-service, there were amenities provided that were either complimentary or required additional purchase.  Wifi was complimentary and the speeds were decent; water/tea/coffee in the lobby were offerd and they were complimentary all the time; complimentary water bottles were provided in the room; there was a restaurant on the ground floor that was open for breakfast only and there was a restaurant/bar on the 5th floor for drinks and food.  

Overall, it was a nice stay at the ibis Styles and it was centrally located and provided a nice and clean room with a decent bed and ensuite bathroom.  That is what I generally expect from ibis Styles and they delivered on that.

Trip Report: British Airways, Geneva to New Orleans via London (July 2022)

 Trip Report: British Airways, Geneva to New Orleans via London
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I had to travel to Europe in Summer 2022 and was trying to find different ways to travel.  At the time of booking, the best method was utilizing miles so on the outbound I used Star Alliance miles and on the return I used OneWorld miles on British Airways from Geneva to New Orleans via London.  I am based out of New Orleans and British Airways had recently started direct service to the city so I was excited to travel on this route.  

As I said, I booked my travel using miles on American Airlines's website.  It is very easy to book awardtravel through AA's website and I have previously booked many oneworld partner flights through AA.com (in fact, I booked a SriLankan flight on AA.com and it was very simple).  This flight was no different and I booked the British Airways flight from Geneva to London and from London to New Orleans.  Once the flight was booked, I called British Airways to manage my flight including seat reservations and special meal request.  When I had originally booked my flight, premium economy was available for the same mileage amount but my dates had to change and in my revised dates unfortunately premium economy was not available.  In premium economy, the seat selection was complimentary and the luggage allowance was greater; in regular economy there was a charge for seat selection and the luggage allowance was the standard.                                                                                                  

I was able to check into my flight 24-hours in advance but I could only receive my boarding pass at the airport due to passport check-in.  My flight departed from Geneva at 11:50a and arrive at London Heathrow at 12:35pm and then my ne7xt flight departed at 3:40pm and landed in New Orleans at 7:30pm.  Because I was connecting internationally, and during this time it was the summer of European travel meltdown, I got to the airport 3-hours in advance; however, the check-in desks were not open at that time.  Apparently the check-in desks open 2 hours in advance but I was glad they were even opening as British Airways had cancelled almost all flights that day except 2 - the one we were on and then an afternoon flight.  I checked my luggage in, received my boarding pass, and proceeded to the gate.                                                                                                                                                                                             My first flight was operated by an Airbus A319 in a 3-3 seat configuration. The airplane had a Euro business class section followed by Premium Economy and then regular Economy.  We boarded through stairs and after manual safety demonstrations we pushed back and took off for Geneva.  I was seated in a window seat in regular economy.  The seat itself was basic and contained a moveable headrest, slimline seats, a tray table, and a literature section uptop for the magazines and pocket below the tray table for safety cards.  The seat comfort was alright but the seat pitch was very tight and even though the flight was only 1h45 mins, the uncomfortable seat made the journey feel longer.   Once airborne, inflight service commenced in which complimentary water and a packet of crisps were distributed; it was nice to get something complimentary as I was told that previously British Airways did not give anything complimentary in economy class.  You could purchase other food or beverage items if you wanted.  There was no wifi on the plane nor access to inflight entertainment so it was bring your own entertainment or enjoy the views.  We landed in Heathrow and then had to clear security and transfer terminals before my next flight out.

The next flight departed at 3:40pm but because U.S. bound flights require extra security we had to get to the gate extra early for additional security screening.  After the security screening, we were bused to the gate to board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner which would take us to London.  The Dreamliner was also configured with a Business Class, a Premium Economy Class and a regular economy class.  I was in regular economy where the seats were 9 across in a 3-3-3 configuration.  On the seat were a blanket, pillow, and change for UNICEF pouch.  The seat itself had an adjustable headrest and cushion.  The seatback had a PTV screen, a remote underneath, a tray table that could be half opened or fully opened, a USB port to charge your phone, and a pocket underneath.  The PTV screen was small and seem a bit outdated and while the seat pitch was decent, the legroom underneath was blocked by the huge metal box which contained the wires for the entertainment.  Because of the extra security, bus boarding, and issues with luggage loading at Heathrow Airport, it took a while for all passengers to board but once boarded, safety video was shown and we pushed back and took off for New Orleans.  Once we reached cruising altitude, a drink service plus pretzels were served and this was followed by the meal service.  The meal service was average and this is definitely an area where British Airways can improve.  After the meal service, the lights were dimmed for passengers to rest.  About half-way through the flight a mid-flight snack was served and then right before landing another snack was served.  While I appreciate the quantity of food, the quality and taste of the food was to be desired.  The service onboard was also average - they were nice and decent when they were in the aisles but in between service they cabin crew were not seen; they were not walking through the aisles with water nor checking on the passengers; if you wanted something you had to search for the crew.  The seat itself was alright but you could feel the wear and tear after the 7th hour and the big metal box which took up a lot of space really hampered the legroom - so you felt the 10hr+ flight time after the 7-8th hour.  Even though we left late, we landed on-time in New Orleans and quickly got to our gate and deplaned.

Overall, it was an interesting flight with British Airways.  They advertise themselves to be a very good to great airline but everything I experienced it made them out to be a decent to good airline.  Instead of 4-5 stars I would rate them 3-4 stars; they are decent when they are on their game but its the little things and the additional items that make other airlines standout - such as crew available in the aisle throughout the flight; better catering; a more updated fleet; and other such little things.  I appreciate the direct flight to New Orleans as I know not many international airlines fly direct to the city, and as someone from the city I really appreciate that.  I just think that New Orleans and the public deserve what British Airways was - I have flown with them when I was a child and I got the Britishness they were trying to achieve; on this flight I got that they were trying to be a step above RyanAir. 

Stay Report: Radisson Blu Royal Viking Hotel (Stockholm, Sweden - June 2022)

   Stay Report: Radisson Blu Royal Viking Hotel
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I was traveling to Stockholm and when looking for a place to stay, there is not a lot of variety especially if you want to stay in the city center.  There were only a couple of options and one of them was a local brand and the other was the Radisson Blu.  Radisson Blu had a couple of locations throughout Stockholm City Center so you could choose from a variety of options.  I had never stayed at a Radisson Blu so was not sure what to expect, but my travel companion had stayed and had some status so we decided to book the Radisson Blu Royal Viking Hotel.  

This hotel is located right next to the train station and is within walking distance to many sights, shops, and restaurants and this is the main reason we choose this hotel; location.  We booked the hotel through the Radisson app as there were discounts through the app that were not available online.  There were various room types to choose from and each room had various booking types - bed only, bed plus breakfast, bed plus extra points, etc.  We were using the hotel as a base to walk around and were not planning on being in the room long so we booked the basic bed-only room.  

The hotel is located on the main road right next to the train station.  As you exit one section of the train station - right next to the entrance to the airport train - you will see the hotel on the left-side.  From the outside, the hotel does not look like much and definitely needs an upgrade and paint job from the outside.  There are entrances to the hotel - one is located right next to the train station entrance so you can walk out of hotel, take 5 steps and be inside the train station.  This exit is only open during the day and closes at night due to security reasons; I did not feel unsafe walking around at night but did have to be more vigilant at night.  The main entrance is located on the main road so from the train station you go towards the main road, take a left and the main entrance is right there.  When you enter the lobby, there is a long walkway that leads you to the check-in desks at the other side of the lobby.  Service at the check-in desks was varied and greatly depended on who was at the desk which made requests and service extremely difficult and inconsistent.  

Along the left-side of the walkway are seating areas.  Along the right-side are seating areas, the hotel restaurant, the hotel bar, as well as access to the second section of the hotel (more on that below).  The lobby did not match the outside and luckily looked updated so was large, roomy and had plenty of seats.  There were two sets of elevators - one of the left and one on the right - and these led to the two different sections of the hotel which contained the rooms.  

The rooms on both sides were designed the same and both resembled a cabin on a cruise ship.  In my stays I experienced both a smaller room size as well as a 'deluxe' room type - both were laid out the same and had the same amenities and the only difference was the size of the room.  In both rooms, as you entered on the right was the bathroom.  The bathroom contained a sink, a toilet, a shower tub or shower stall as well as refillable bottles of hand wash, lotion, and body wash.  In addition, there were other amenities in the bathroom including towels, comb, and other bathroom amenities.  Across from the bathroom was an extremely narrow closet which contained an iron, ironing board, safe, shelves, and place to hang your clothes.  The closet had everything but was EXTREMELY narrow.  In between the bathroom and the main part of the room was a nook that had a fridge on the bottom and the coffee maker on top.  In the main part of the room, on the right side was the two twin beds each with a nightstand on either stand as well as a nightstand in the middle.  The beds were small but comfortable and provided a decent nights sleep.  Along the left side, across from the beds, was a TV mounted on the wall and a desk and a chair next to the wall; it was a basic desk but nice since there was no storage space in the room.  Those were the basic amenities that were in both rooms - and as I said the only difference between the rooms was space as both were identical in features but one was larger.  Both rooms also had a window and in one room there was a chair and small desk next to the window; the other room did not have this feature.  

Amenities in the hotel included a restaurant, a fitness center, wifi, and meeting rooms.  The wifi was complimentary and at a decent speed with no limitations to the number of devices connected.  The fitness center was not a fitness center but an actual gym in the bottom of the hotel that hotel guests were allowed to use; but the service at the fitness center was not pleasant so it did not create a pleasant workout  experience. Overall, it was a disappointing stay at the Radisson Blu.  The only advantage to the hotel was the location right next to the train station but otherwise they offered an average room that had ok features but was small and definitely not worth the exorbitant price that was charged for the room.  The service was poor and the amenities and layout did not match the price paid.

Trip Report: Finnair, Stockholm to Helsinki; Helsinki to Tallinn (June 2022)

 Trip Report: Finnair - Stockholm to Helsinki; Helsinki to Tallinn
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I was traveling to Helsinki, Finland and so that meant I had to try Finnair.  Finnair is Finland's national carrier and is also part of the oneworld alliance.  I have been wanted to try their service for a while and now got the opportunity in two regional flights - one from Stockholm to Helsinki on an Airbus A319 and then from Helsinki to Tallinn on an ATR plane.  I was traveling with hand-carry only so my experience with both flights were similar.                                                                                                                                               It was very easy to book flights on Finnair's website but since Finnair is a member of oneworld I could also use my AAdvantage points to book award travel on Finnair so that is what I did - I used AAmiles to book a free ticket on Finnair.  It was easy to use the miles and book my ticket, get my record locator number, and then use that to manage my booking on Finnair's website.  Finnair is a full-service airline so checked baggage and complimentary seat assignment were included in the fare.  

My first flight was from Stockholm to Helsinki and was operated by an Airbus A319.  I was able to 

select my seat, free of charge, upon booking and I could modify the seat assignment anytime prior to and during check-in.  It was very easy to checkin on the app and obtain my boarding pass.  In regional flights, Finnair does not provide food but you can preselect/purchase food and have it served on the plane.  The incoming aircraft arrival was delayed so that meant our departure was delayed - this information was communicated by the gate agents, by the monitors, on the app, and we also received email notification of the delay.  Once ready for boarding, Finnair boards in groups and is VERY strict about the boarding groups; they do not allow anyone outside their boarding groups to board.                                                                                                                                                              Once onboard the Airbus A319 the seats were laid out in a 3-3 seat configuration.  Generally there is an economy and Euro-business class on the flight (economy seats with the middle blocked) but with the flight time was only 1hour , I think Finnair considers this a more 'domestic' flight so there was no business class and only economy.  I say this because I was in seat 3 which would normally be 'Euro-business' but this time was all economy.  

The seats were basic with seatback pocket up top, a normal size tray table underneath and then a small pocket underneath that.  The seatback pocket up top contained the safety card information; airline magazine and buy on-board menu was available online.  The seat width was a bit narrow, especially if you had a broader person sitting next to you in the middle but the seat pitch was great - I am 6'1 with long legs and my legs easily fit with room to move.  Once we took off, inflight service commenced.  Complimentary blueberry juice, tea, or coffee were served; everything else needed to be purchased.  You could connect to Finnair's wifi which provides content dependent on the flight; for some flights this includes entertainment such as TV shows and movies but for this short flight it only included access to journals and newspapers (including international newspapers).  After drinks were passed out and rubbish collected, it was time to land and deplane in Helsinki.

My next flight with Finnair with an ATR Aircraft which is in a 2-2 seat configuration and one that boards from the back.  The check-in and complimentary seat assignment were the same with this flight, the only difference was that the flight time for this flight is 30min so this meant that there was no inflight service.  We boarded, took off, landed and deplaned.                                                                                                                            Overall, it was a nice flight with Finnair.  Their planes were nice, the service onboard was good and overall it was a nice short flights with each airline.  This definitely makes me want to try their long-haul or longer flights with them.

Stay Report: Holiday Inn Helsinki City Centre (Helsinki, Finland - June 2022)

    Stay Report: Holiday Inn Helsinki City Centre
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I was traveling to Helsinki, Finland but I was only going to be there for a short period so I wanted a hotel that would be central and within walking distance to the city center and most sites.  Based on this criteria, I found the Holiday Inn Helsinki City Center and it fit all the criteria I was looking for.  It was very easy to book and manage the hotel through both the website and app.  The hotel is connected to the train station but it is not attached, so you do have to exit the train station but it is in the same footprint so only a couple of steps from the last platform and a 30-second walk from the main entrance.  

As you exit the side entrance of the train station, the hotel is visible on the right-hand side.  From the outside it looks nice and modern, but perceptions can be deceiving sometimes.  As you enter the lobby, the check-in desks are straight ahead, to the right was the bar and restaurant as well as waiting area, and to the left are the elevators/lifts, the 'business center'/computer stations, additional waiting areas, some work stations, and some places to relax and lounge.  The lobby was definitely spacious, had lots of good amenities, and looked renovated and updated.  Check-in was quick, I received my key, went to the 5th floor and proceeded to enter my room; this is where the renovations had ceased.

The room was definitely not updated and looked very nice for the 1980s or 1990s.  As you entered into the room, along the right side were large doors and behind the doors were the closets, ironing board and iron, safe, and coffee maker; there was lots of space but the doors and look of the closets looked dated.  Along the left side of the room was the bathroom which contained a toilet, a sink with a long countertop, and a tub which contained only a half-door.  The half-door did absolutely nothing to hold the water in, the facilities in the bathroom did not look updated and the overall look was dated.  There were reusable toiletries in the shower and next to the sink; this hotel used Dove and while it smelled decent, it seemed a bit cheap (I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Warsaw and the product they used smelled and seemed more upscale).

As you moved further into the room, on the left were the two twin beds.  Each bed had a small nightstand on either side and each night stand had a small light as well as a plug and USB ports - at least that was updated and that was convenient.  The beds were updated and although somewhat small, provided a decent nights sleep.  Across from the beds was a TV screen mounted to the wall, a desk with an outdated phone and furniture, and along the wall was nice open windows which shown out onto the street and let it light; luckily they were also blackout curtains since the sun rose at 3am.

Amenities in the hotel included a restaurant, wifi, business centre, and fitness center.  Because of my limited time there, I was not able to visit the fitness center and had no need to visit the business center - which basically was the computer station in the lobby.  I did try the wifi which was fast and you could connect many devices.  As I said, the lobby was very open and spacious and there were lots of amenities as well as working spaces in there.  To me, the best feature about the hotel was the location as it was right next to the train station, it had a grocery store across the street, it was a 2-3 minute to many restaurants and shops and it was a 10-minute walk to the University and Main Square.  Overall, the location was very nice, the lobby and customer service was very nice but the rooms need to be updated. 

Stay Report: Holiday Inn Express Warsaw - Mokotów (Warsaw, Poland - June 2022)

 Stay Report: Holiday Inn Express Warsaw - Mokotow
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I was traveling to Warsaw and was looking for a place to stay.  There are many options either within the city, near the airport, or somewhere in between.  I was only there for a short period and was flying in and out so decided to stay near the airport and that is when the Holiday Inn Express Warsaw Mokotow came into my search.  Even though I am an IHG member, I am hesitant to stay at Holiday Inn Express hotels, especially in the U.S., because some of them are good but others are really disgusting.  I did some research and found that this hotel was relatively new so given that I decided to go ahead and book it.  

It was very easy to book the hotel through the IHG website or app and easy to manage through the both.  The hotel is located about 10 minutes from the airport by car or also a 10 minute train ride plus 10 minute walk - the walk from the hotel to the train does involve some steps and is somewhat lengthy so would not recommend it for those with lots of luggage.  The hotel is located in the Mokotow region which is a suburb of Warsaw.  The main entrance is on a side street while on the back there is a tram stop directly in front of the hotel (backside).  One or two stops away from the hotel is a big mall with lots of services and shops - the city center is about a 30-45min tram ride from the hotel.  If you take the train or the tram, you enter the hotel through the back parking lot and have to walk around the hotel to the main entrance which is the only entrance - my suggestion is that the hotel create an entrance to the back that guests can access with their key card.

As you walk up to the main entrance there are many seating areas outside - this was very nice in the 

Spring/Summer months when its really nice to sit outside and enjoy the weather.  As you enter into the lobby, there are some seating area to right and straight ahead is the check-in desks.  Further into the right is the kitchen and more seating area.  This is also where breakfast is available in the morning (more on that below).  Check-in was easy, received my key, and proceeded to the elevators on the left to head to my room.  

As you entered into the room, the first thing you noticed is how large the room is.  As you enter, on the right is the bathroom which contains a sink, a shower, a toilet, and a towel warmer.  There were no individual bathroom toiletries but rather refillable bottles - one by the sink and one in the shower; they both smelled really nice and of high quality.  The bathroom was standard and was a decent size.  As you move further into the room, also on right hand side was a narrow open closet - given the size of the room not sure why the closet was so small.  Next to the closet was an open area with the coffee maker on top, safe and fridge down below; again great amenities but given the size of the room not sure why it was narrow.  Further into the room, on the right side was a desk and a chair next to the wall - this would be a great working space and there were additional plugs and USB ports to make working in this area easier.  The table/desk was not connected to the wall so it could be moved and that was helpful as you could move it closer to the bed since there was some distance between these two areas.  

The bed was also on the right side of the room with one side really close to the window - there were mini nightstands on each side of the table and above each nightstand were plugs and USB ports.  Next to the bed was a large window which let in light during the day but also were blackout curtains which were helpful since the sunrise was very early in the morning.  Across from the bed was the TV mounted on the wall and underneath was a ledge which contained complimentary water - with gas and without - as well as a bottle opener and other items to enjoy your time there.  The ledge was a smart idea as it provided more space to store items.  The bed itself was nice and comfortable and a large size for Europe. 

Amenities at the hotel included complimentary wifi, connected parking facility, complimentary breakfast, and access to transportation.  As I mentioned earlier, right behind the hotel was the tram stop and a 10-15 minute walk was the train stop to the airport.  Wifi was complimentary and relatively fast and the complimentary breakfast was decent - it was medium size but generally had a good selection with something for everyone's appetite.  Overall, it was a nice stay at the Holiday Inn Express.  I was not sure what to expect since HI Express can vary but this was clean, modern, had great facilities, and overall provided a good nights' rest.

Trip Report: airBaltic - Tallinn to Stockholm; Stockholm to Riga (June 2022)

   Trip Report: airBaltic - Tallinn to Stockholm; Stockholm to Riga
comment below and let me know your thoughts :)

I was planning my trip around Europe and needed to fly between Tallinn (Estonia) and Stockholm.  There were a couple of options available but the one that worked for me was airBaltic in the evening.                                                                                                                                                          airBaltic is an airline based in Riga, Latvia and is a low-cost hybrid carrier.  They are low-cost in that they only operate one type of aircraft, Airbus A220, and they charge for extras like seat assignment and baggage.  They are a hybrid because they offer business class and partner with many airlines and that can include complimentary luggage.  They are also hybrid because tickets include one carry-on and one personal item.  I had heard of airBaltic as they were the primary customer of the Airbus A220 which is a new plane model that is a 2-3 seat configuration.   airBaltic operates mostly a regional network within Europe with additional flights to Central Asia and Dubai. 

I had 3 flights with airBaltic and they were all a bit different. Flight 1 was Tallinn to Stockholm, flight 2 was Stockholm to Riga, and flight 3 was Riga to Munich.  All of these were booked differently so flight 1 was the complete low-cost experience as it was ticket only, no additional seats nor luggage was purchased.  Flight 2 included checked baggage so it was termed as 'Economy plus' but the plus did not include seat reservation nor priority boarding as some other low-cost carriers include in this bundle, it only included 23kg of checked baggage.  Flight 3 was in partnership with Lufthansa so I booked the ticket on Lufthansa and the first leg was operated by airBaltic.  Although each flight was booked differently, the operating aircraft was the same on each flight, the check-in process was the same, and the on-board experience was the same for each flight.

As I had mentioned, airBaltic is a low-cost hybrid airline.  Your booked ticked includes a hand-carry

and personal item, everything else needs to be purchased including checked baggage and seat assignments.  There are categories that include checked baggage but that is all they include and no other amenities are included.  It was very easy and efficient to book the travel through airbaltic's website and through the process you can add extras like seat assignment or checked baggage for a fee.  After your booking and days leading up to your flight you will get messages from airbaltic asking if you want to prebook/purchase a seat or prebook/purchase a meal.  You are able to check-into your flight 36-hours in advance (more if you have prebooked your seat) and during that process you can also preselect your seat.  If you do not select a seat then you are assigned a random seat at check-in and there is no option on the site to change the seat (the only option is to ask at the airport at the check-in desk).  

For one flight I had personal item only while my other 2 flights I had checked baggage so for those I had to stop at the check-in desk.  The service both on the ground and on-board was not great, not bad but not great.  They would answer a question if you had one but not proactively offer assistance or notice that a guest needed assistance.  For two of my flights, I was able to arrange a different seat assignment at the check-in desk and that was done with no hesitation.  Boarding is supposed to happen 30 minutes prior to the flight but everyone of my flights were delayed.  That would not be a big deal but in each instance the gate agents made no announcement nor was there any information provided; the only notice would be an email from airbaltic after the time had passed notifying you of the delay.  This email was the only communication from either the ground staff, gate agents, or airline regarding any delays.  When we were finally ready for boarding, it was everyone all at once; those who needed assistance came first and after that it was everyone on board with no boarding groups or other order.

Each operating aircraft was exactly the same - an Airbus A220 with a 2-3 seat configuration.  Both the

outside and the inside looked relatively new and the planes looked in good shape.  The seats were basic in that up top had a place for magazines, below was a tray table, and below that two small back pockets on each side of the tray table holder that could hold a cellphone.  The tray table had an interesting design in that the table was not connected to the back of the seat in the conventional way but rather connected to the seat through a pole that went down the middle of the back of the seat.  It was an odd design and felt very Soviet-style design.  Up above were airvents, lights, call bell, and above each row was a tiny screen that looked like a sideways cellphone.  This screen showcased the safety video, the details of the flight, any safety announcements, and advertisements for airbaltic destinations.  AirBaltic also advertised their destinations in their onboard magazine which was in the backseat pocket along with the safety card and airsickness bag.  The magazine also contained the menu for the buy on-board meals and drinks.  The seat pitch was average and the seat pitch was also average for a low-cost; I have been on tighter seat pitches so for low-cost the seat pitch was the standard average.  I am 6'1 and I had enough room so that my knees did not hit the back of the seat in front of me.  Most of airbaltic flights are 1-2 hours so the seat is comfortable for that; my longest fligth with them was 2-hours and the seat was comfortable enough for that but beyond that I think the seat would become uncomfortable.

Onboard service included a buy on-board service.  Nothing was given for free, not even water, so everything had to be purchased.  There was no wifi, no stream to your device, nothing so you had to bring your own entertainment.  And bring a lot of entertainment because airBaltic has a liberal on-time departure time; I had 3 flights and none took off on-time.  Each flight was delayed or late by at least 30mins with an average delay of 45-60mins - this added to the time in seat because you would board late and then sit there with no communication and then all of a sudden there would be pushback and you would depart.                                                                                                                                      Overall, it was an interesting experience with airBaltic.  They have carved out an interesting niche for themselves with Riga as a hub and using the Airbus A220.  Having only one type of aircraft you definitely know what you are getting when you step onboard so that is convenient.  The low-cost model saves the passenger money when the ancillary fees are not included but once you start adding checked baggage and seat selection the ticket prices add up.  Would I fly airBaltic again?  I would not hesitate to fly them short-haul, point-to-point, for 1-hour flights and if I do not have to connect nor check a bag.  I think they are a good regional airline and are a good 3-star trip.

Stay Report: ibis budget Zurich Airport (Zurich - November 2021)

 Stay Report: ibis budget, Zurich Airport
comment below and let me know your thoughts :)

I was going to be in Zurich for a couple of hours and mostly transiting from different travels so I was looking for a place to sleep near the airport.  I was going to be transiting twice so my criteria was it had to be near the airport; near access to transportation; and have availability to leave luggage.  During my research I came across the ibis budget, Zurich Airport.  I have stayed at ibis' before (all throughout Europe) and have stayed at the ibis budget Brisbane Airport.  With each brand, some items are complimentary while others need to be paid for.  The ibis budget brand provides the least complimentary items but they also have the lowest rates.  My experience with ibis is that they provide a basic room with wifi and luggage hold at an affordable rate; since I was only going to be sleeping these - and the hotel met all my criteria - I booked the hotel.  

I was arriving late from another part of Switzerland via train and my flight was early the next day.  The hotel is across the street from the tram station and is only 1-2 stops away from the airport station - both of these make it very convenient as a transit hotel.  I took the tram from the main station towards the airport and got off at the stop and walked to the hotel.  From the outside the hotel does not look like much but it looked nice and clean

As you enter, there is a small waiting area to the left and then the check-in desks.  To the right are the  elevators as well as a very large dining/cafeteria as well as more rooms.  In the back were also elevators down to the ground level where there were more rooms as well as luggage lockers.  I checked in, received my key, and proceeded up to my room.

As I entered my room I noticed 2 things: first that it was a standard ibis room and second it was verysmall room.  As you entered there was a door on right with the toilet and further inside the room, again on the right, was a small sink outside and then the shower door; the bathroom had a toilet, a sink and a shower.  Towels were provided but the quality wasn't great so I would recommend bringing your ownk and there was shower gel in the shower and a small bar of soap near the sink.   There as no real separation between bathroom and bedroom so next to the sink was the on the right-side of the room while on the left side was a TV and a desk.  There was a decent size window across one wall which faced the backside of the airport but it did provide natural light.  Overall it was a very basic room but then again ibis provides a basic room at a lower price so for me it was fine.  The room had the basic amenities that I wanted which were 1) a decent size bed that was comfortable; 2) free wifi; 3) an en-suite connected or in the room and this room provided all that.  

Ibis hotels usually do not provide many amenities other hotels usually provide, and the ibis budget provides even less amenities.  Even though they did provide breakfast in the morning (for a separate charge), there was no restaurant in the hotel so if you were hungry in the afternoon or evening then you had to get food from the vending machines provided.  I did not realize but my second night at the hotel I had booked a rate that included breakfast so I went down in the morning and got my breakfast.  I have had breakfast at ibis in other countries and the quality of breakfast is decent; not great but decent and average and I would say the quality of the food here was also average.  They had croissants, meats, cheeses, fruit and nutella spreads so while not a wide variety, a decent enough breakfast.

There is no gym and no pool but the main amenity is the wifi.  With all Accorhotels, the hotel provides free wifi – it is basic but decent enough to check and send emails.  You can pay for faster internet speeds if that is necessary, and you can also pay to access the computers downstairs if you do not have a smartphone or computer.  This ibis did provide luggage lockers which were accessed for a fee; not all ibis had luggage lockers and some kept luggage for a small time for free but the luggage lockers was a nice addition.  

Overall, the ibis budget provided a decent night’s sleep in an updated room at a low cost.  While the rooms were not lavish nor plush, they provided enough for a good transit hotel. You do not pay a lot and so low expectations are met by a basic and clean room at a low price.

Train Report: LNER, Central London to Edinburgh (August 2019)

Trip Report: LNER Train, Central London to Edinburgh
comment below and let me know your thoughts :)

I was traveling from London to Edinburgh and this trip can be made either via plane, bus, or train.  I usually enjoy train travel in Europe - it is usually so much more convenient and connected than in America - so I decided to take the train one way and a plane on my return (I traveled British Airways on the return and you can check out that review here).  LNER - London North Eastern Railway - is apparently the only operator of the train between Central London and Edinburgh.  Online it was very to see the various timings of the trains, select the one that fit my schedule, book the ticket, preselect my seat, and manage my reservation.   You could preselect your seat online and the train had a variety of seats - either 4 around a table or two individually.  Since we were three in the group, we decided to book 3 of the 4 group seats.   

The train that I had booked departed London's King Cross at 3:30pm and would arrive into

Edinburgh at 8:13; considering it was going to take about 5 hours, I assumed that the train would make multiple stops throughout the journey.  Even though I was able to print out my ticket online, as well as have a mobile ticket, I still arrived at the train station about an hour prior to my departure to give myself enough time.  Unfortunately, the car dropped us off at St. Pancreas and we had to go to King's Cross but eventually we made it to King's Cross and looked at the timetable only to be informed that they do not provide the track number until 15 minutes prior to boarding.  This means there is a long waiting period, a lot of staring at the screens, and then all passengers rushing towards the track as soon as the track number is announced; it is not fun.

We made it onto the train, loaded our luggage onto the luggage compartments, and proceeded to our seat.  As I said, we had booked 3 of the 4 seats that are around a table.  My previous experience traveling on trains in Europe has been in Switzerland, and again we book 3 of the 4 group seats and the seats were nice, comfortable, spacious, and the 4th seat remained empty no matter how many stops we made.  On this trip, the 4th seat had been occupied by another passenger (even though there were plenty of empty seats available), the seats were tight in terms of both width and seat pitch, and after 5+ hours they were a bit uncomfortable.  The table in the middle was also very close to the seats and it made getting in and out of the seat very difficult.  One positive aspect of the seat was the on top, on a small screen, was each individual's stop; it helped to know when the other passenger was getting off but it was bit of invasion of privacy.  The train made many stops throughout the journey, and the announcements were not very clear especially for the smaller stops.  In terms of services for the passengers, there was a dining car available as well as restrooms - there were no usb or charging ports and while wifi was technically available, it was spotty and almost never worked.   

As I said, my previous experience in European train travel as been in both Switzerland and Belgium so that was my base of comparison.  Also, on this route the train competes with the airlines - ryanair, easyjet, and BA - all of whom have the same or lower fares and can make the journey in a faster time.  Taking into account all these factors, as well as the narrow seat pitch, it was a disappointing rail journey.  The seats were a bit uncomfortable, especially towards the end, the wifi was spotty, no charging ports, and generally it felt like I paid for a general economy seat - which is fine but then I paid the same price for my return airfare with BA (check out that review here) and that took less time so what is the incentive to ride the train?  

Trip Report: Delta Airlines, Atlanta to London Heathrow (August 2019)

Trip Report: Delta Airlines, Atlanta to London Heathrow
comment below and let me know your thoughts :)

I was traveling from Atlanta to London Heathrow and since Atlanta is Delta's hub, the most flight options and availability was through Delta Airlines.  It was very easy to book the flight on Delta's website, and both through the website and app I was able to manage the booking which included preselecting my seat, my meals as well as other special requests.  For my flight sector, the outbound was being operated by Delta while the return was being operated by Virgin Atlantic (check out that review here).  On transatlantic flights, the ticket on Delta includes complimentary meal as well as one checked bag at 23kg.  I had never flown Delta internationally so I was excited to try their product.

I was able to check-in 24hours before my flight and receive my mobile boarding passes; however, because it was an international flight and we had bags to check we proceeded to the check-in counter.  As part of our group had 'Sky Priority' this meant that we could check-in at the Sky Priority counter and could board with Sky Priority.  We arrived at the airport about 2 hours prior to the flight and there was no one at the check-in counters so it was very easy and quick to check our bags and confirm our boarding passes; the agent who assisted us did his job but he was not overly customer friendly.  We went through security and proceeded to our gate - our flight was scheduled to board at 9:05p with a departure of 9:55pm.  The flight seemed very full and there were lots of people crowded near the gate, especially as the boarding time came and went without any announcement.  They finally announced that the boarding time would be delayed as the cleaning crew was delayed so that meant every process was delayed.  We finally started boarding at 9:30pm.

The operating aircraft was an Airbus A330-200 in a 2-4-2 configuration.  The condition of the plane was decent as the plane did not look brand new but also did not look really old.  The interior and the seats had been updated but you could tell the age of the plane with the overhead and the AC vents.  The seat itself was generally comfortable with decent seat padding and the legroom was also decent - I am 6'1 and while my knees were not hitting the seat pocket, they definitely were not stretching out either.  The seat width was also comfortable in that you had enough room to move without hitting your neighbor.  On the seat was a pillow and blanket and the seatback had a PTV with a USB and headphone jack on the bottom, and underneath the PTV was the tray table plus the seatpocket which contained the airline magazine, safety card, and sickness bag.  A plug was also available on the bottom of the next to the underseat storage, but there was one plug so it had to be shared between seatmates.  The boarding was complete, the front doors closed, and we finally took off about 30 minutes behind schedule.

The PTV was not operational as soon as we boarded, but it was switched on after the safety video was shown.  The PTV had a good movie selection and an average TV selection, in my opinion their movie selection was better than their TV selection as the movie selection had a wider range to select from - and there was definitely enough to keep you occupied for the 8hr 10min flight (although not sure if the selection was good for a significantly longer flight).  During taxi, the FAs came around and handed out full-botter water, menu cards, plastic earbuds, and a packet with socks, eyeshades, and earplugs.  I appreciated both the water - as its important to stay hydrated during the flight - and the menu card - as it is a nice touch (some airlines provide the menu in the PTV to be more environmentally friendly and I would prefer that) and the pouch and earbuds were also nice - especially since many Western (American and European) carriers have stopped providing these. 

An hour into takeoff the inflight service started.  Drinks plus pretzels were provided followed by the main meal plus drinks, then coffee and tea, as well as water - full bottles of water were available throughout the flight and that was a nice aspect.  The meals were decent in terms of size and flavor - I have been on airlines that serve more and have been on airlines that serve way less so this was in the middle.  Once the meal trays had been cleared, passengers were left to get some sleep on this overnight flight.  In the back gallery, drinks, biscoff cookies, cheese crackers, and water were available and FAs were available if you needed something but I did not see them passing through the aisle.  About 2 hours prior to landing, the lights came back up as a light snack/breakfast was being served.  The breakfast came in a little pouch that had a bagel, cream cheese, juice and butter.  It was not a substantial breakfast but a small snack to tide you over until the arrival.  Even though we left late, strong tailwinds helped us make up that time plus gain more so we landed a bit early but it took a while to taxi and deplane.  

Overall, it was a decent flight with Delta.  My previous international experience with American carriers had not been pleasant (with United and American) and generally American carriers don't have the greatest reputation for international service - so given all this my expectations were low.  Despite that, Delta offered a nice seat with decent amenities, nice PTV selection, and good customer service.  Generally, Delta's ticket prices are a bit higher than its competitors but with a higher fee comes higher expectations and Delta delivers on that.